ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - -
Behind career-high hit performances from sophomore outfielder Sarah Chow and freshman third baseman Victoria Saucedo, the Utah State softball team won a shootout against New Mexico, 12-11, at Lobo Softball Field Friday.

"Right now with all the injuries that we have, people are really stepping up. We scored runs early and that is something that we really haven't done that much of this year. We did a good job of every time they scored we came back and kept building a lead. That is one thing we have been talking about is stretching out the lead. We made a calculated risk with the walk in the seventh, they got a hit and scored some runs, but we were able to get the last out. Abby did a fantastic job, and the defense made plays behind her. The biggest thing besides Abby was that we scored a lot of runs," USU head coach Steve Johnson said.

The Aggies came out strong in the first inning with five runs off of five hits. Utah State could have had more with two thrown out at the plate. Sophomore outfielder Sarah Chow started the game with an infield single, while junior shortstop Jolene Koons followed with a walk to put runners on first and second with no outs. Freshman designated player Victoria Saucedo drilled a stand up double to right to score two. With one out, freshman first baseman Paxton Provost walked, while junior third baseman Nicole Arata double to left to score Saucedo to put USU up 3-0. Senior catcher Samantha Larsen scored Provost with a single to right, while Larsen scored the fifth run of the inning on a single by senior second baseman Allison Lenzora to give USU the 5-0 lead.

New Mexico wasted no time cutting into the Utah State lead with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Naomi Tellez hit a two-run home run to cut the lead to 5-2. Jordan Sjostrand triple to deep right to score Jasmine Casados as the inning ended with USU holding on to a 5-3 lead.

USU got one more back in the top of the second inning. Chow led off the inning with a triple to right, while Koons followed with a walk. Saucedo delivered her second hit of the day to drive home Chow and up the Aggie lead to 6-3.
The Lobos also scored a run in the bottom half of the inning to trim the Aggie lead to 6-4.

USU scored single runs in the third and fourth innings. In the third inning, Lenzora scored on a double from Chow who had her third hit of the game. In the fourth with two outs, Froton scored from first on a double down the left field line to put USU up 8-4.

UNM fought back to score three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Tellez was back at it again with a two-run double to right for her fifth of six RBI of the game. Mariah Rimmer drove home another run on a ground out as New Mexico pulled within one run 8-7.

The Aggies broke through for four more runs in the top of the fifth inning. The first two batters of the inning reached on walks, while Chow reached on her fourth hit of the game. Orozoco and Lenzora both scored when Koons reached on a Lobo error. Saucedo and Froton both drove home runs as USU upped its advantage to 12-7.

The Lobos were not done, mounting a comeback in the seventh inning, scoring four runs. The comeback was highlighted by a bases clearing, three-run triple by Rimmer. Arata made a great play for the final out of the game as Utah State held on for the win.

Saucedo leads the team with 14 multi-hit games, including a season-high four hits against the Lobos. Chow went 4-for-4 with three runs scored. The four hits were a career high.

The Aggies continue the three-game set against New Mexico on Saturday, April 26 at 1 p.m. The series concludes on Sunday, April 27 at 12 p.m.

Fans can keep up with all of the Aggie softball action at www.utahstateaggies.com. Follow Utah State athletics, including softball, at http://twitter.com/USUSoftball, as well as on facebook, at https://www.facebook.com/USUSoftball.